Vietnam calls in Russian experts from ‘Lenin Lab’ to help preserve Ho Chi Minh’s corpse
- Several countries – including China, North Korea and Vietnam – have embalmed their founding leaders with Russian assistance
- The late leader, affectionately known as ‘Uncle Ho’ in Vietnam, is preserved in a large Soviet-built mausoleum in Hanoi
The special council has been created to assess the condition of Ho’s ageing corpse – first embalmed nearly 50 years ago – and will start work next month.
“The council is tasked with proposing plans and scientific measures to preserve and protect the absolute safety of Chairman Ho Chi Minh’s body for the long term,” the decision said.
Several countries across the world, including China, North Korea and Vietnam, have embalmed their founding leaders thanks to help from the Soviet Union’s “Lenin Lab”, which put the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin on display in Moscow shortly after his death in 1924.
The bodies require regular and expensive upkeep and occasional re-embalming. The official decision did not elaborate on the condition of Ho’s body.
The late leader, affectionately known as “Uncle Ho” in Vietnam, is preserved in a large Soviet-built mausoleum in the capital, Hanoi, where he is displayed within a glass coffin in the dark interior. The site attracts thousands of visitors a year.
